Minimising outsourcing of staff and exam centres, holding maximum entrance exams online, and capping the number of attempts in major entrances are among the measures being contemplated by a high-level panel set up by the Centre to review functioning of National Testing Agency (NTA).

The Centre had on October 21 sought two weeks’ time from the Supreme Court to submit the final report of the panel led by former ISRO chief R Radhakrishnan.

"The report is almost ready. Several recommendations are being made to streamline the functioning of NTA and the conduct of major entrance exams in the country," a source said.

Among the recommendations that the panel is likely to make are reducing offline exams or opting for hybrid exams where switching to online mode completely is not feasible; capping the number of attempts in major exams including medical entrance NEET and reducing the role of outsourced staff and centres to ensure sanctity of exams is not affected.

"The panel held 22 meetings to address the complexities involved in conducting such large-scale exams, the risks and the security measures. The panel had also sought suggestions from stakeholders including students and parents and took into account over 37000 suggestions received," the source said.

In the line of fire over alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination NEET and PhD entrance NET, the Centre had in July set up the panel to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by NTA.